Evaluation De La Denutrition Chez Les Enfants Ages De 2 A 60 Mois Hospitalises Aux Services De Pediatrie Des Hopitaux De Ziguinchor (Senegal)

Abstract

Introduction: Malnutrition is a public health problem in developing countries. The prevalence of malnutrition at the national level hardly reflects the reality in hospitals. It is in this context that we assessed the nutritional status of children from 2 months to 5 years hospitalized in the pediatric ward of the regional hospital and the Ziguinchor Peace Hospital. Materials and methods: This was a prospective study from June 1 to October 30, 2016. Children aged 2 to 60 months, hospitalized in one of the two services, were included. Children with esdato-ascetic syndrome were not included. Epidemiological, anthropometric data, and associated diagnosis were studied. Results: We included 114 children (70 boys and 44 girls). The average age was 21.9 months [4-59]. Forty-two point one percent (42.1%) of infants <6 months were breastfed exclusively with breast milk. The weaning of children was done early in 55.3%. The mean age of mothers was 26.6 years [17-38]. The socioeconomic level was low in 62.3% of cases. The prevalence of malnutrition averaged 35.5% for underweight; 32.9% for wasting and 32.0% for stunting. Acute respiratory infections (ARI) and acute gastroenteritis were the most common associated conditions. Mean hospital stay was 8 days ± 009 [3-28]. About two thirds of the patients (n = 72) had a hospital stay of more than 7 days. Malnutrition was significantly associated with multiparity, low socioeconomic status, hospital stay of more than 7 days and infectious diseases. Conclusion: Infections and a hospital stay longer than a week are factors favoring malnutrition in children from 2 months to 5 years.